Former Minister Kim Yeon-cheol Returns on 26th: "Regarding the North Repatriation Incident, Explanation Materials Already Provided and Explained in the National Assembly"

Former Minister Kim: "Departure to the US is a Routine Schedule," Denies Escape Departure

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Former Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-cheol, who served as the Minister of Unification in November 2019 when the North Korean fishermen repatriation incident occurred, returned to Korea from the United States on the 26th.

On the 27th, former Minister Kim stated on his social media (SNS), "I returned yesterday after a two-week trip to meet my family."

He added, "I had already purchased the plane ticket several months ago, and except for my public service period, it has always been a regular schedule to meet my daughters during vacations." This is interpreted as a rebuttal to the speculation from some political circles that his departure was an escape to avoid prosecution.

Regarding the North Korean fishermen repatriation incident, former Minister Kim said, "The government has an obligation to protect the lives and safety of its citizens," and added, "There are probably not many people who would agree with the current government's claim to ultimately release the heinous criminals who killed 16 people."

He particularly questioned, "Is judicial cooperation between South and North Korea impossible, and is it really possible to punish them under the South Korean legal system?"

This was a rebuttal to the current ruling party's claim that the North Korean fishermen should have been accepted and tried under South Korea's judicial system.

He also addressed why he had not expressed a particular stance despite the recent controversy over the North Korean fishermen repatriation incident, stating, "I provided sufficient and detailed explanations through the explanatory materials announced three years ago and during the two-day National Assembly standing committee process."

He emphasized, "Most of the recent issues raised can be explained through the materials and Q&A sessions announced at that time, so there is nothing new to add."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.